Connectivity and Growth: A Strong Start to the Year for Puerto Vallarta

Following the record-breaking annual passenger traffic of 2025, our destination kicks off 2026 with indicators that confirm the strength of its tourism appeal. The figures from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport don’t just reflect growth; they show a sustained trend that solidifies this Jalisco destination as one of the most dynamic in the Mexican Pacific.

During January 2026, the airport terminal recorded a 2.6 percent increase compared to the same month last year. In absolute terms, the flow increased from 713,300 passengers in January 2025 to 731,700 in the first month of this year. Beyond the specific data point, the breakdown reveals a particularly healthy performance: the domestic market showed growth of 5.66 percent, moving from 229,500 to 242,500 Mexican travelers, while the international segment grew by 1.12 percent, rising from 483,800 to 489,200 foreign passengers.

These figures take on greater significance in an international context where other tourist destinations in the region have recorded month-over-month decreases. Puerto Vallarta, in contrast, maintains an upward trajectory that speaks to trust, connectivity, and the sustained preference of both domestic and international visitors.

The destination’s strength is also reflected in airline commitment. In January 2026, the volume of available seats to Puerto Vallarta grew by 3 percent compared to the same month last year. Likewise, there was a 13 percent increase in domestic flight frequencies, 12 percent in international frequencies, and a 10 percent increase in total frequencies. For February, projections are equally encouraging: 16 percent more in domestic frequencies, 10 percent in international, and 12 percent in total frequencies compared to the previous year.

This momentum is further bolstered by new routes that will expand the destination’s connectivity even more. Southwest Airlines will begin operating flights from San Diego on March 5th and from Las Vegas on June 6th; Air Canada will add a route from Calgary for the winter season; and Volaris will launch operations from Aguascalientes, Puebla, and San Luis Potosí during the summer.

With this outlook—sustained growth, increased flight availability, and the additional boost from the 2026 FIFA World Cup (with Guadalajara serving as one of the Mexican host cities)—everything points toward Puerto Vallarta not only maintaining its momentum but heading toward a new chapter of records and tourism consolidation.